Gay Porn Star Josh Weston Dead at 39

Media outlets are reporting that gay porn star Josh Weston died on Sunday, Dec. 16 from HIV related complications at the age of 39. According to AVN News, Hot House Videos, a San Francisco-based gay porn studio, confirmed Weston's death in a blog post.

"Adult Superstar Josh Weston succumbed to HIV-related complications on Sunday, December 16," the blog reads. "He was 39 years old. Weston started his career in 2001 as a Falcon Exclusive, starring in some of their biggest hits from the early 2000s. After leaving that contract he went on to work with other studios including Hot House where he headlined our hits 'Trunks 3' and 'Communion.' Always warm and friendly and ready to laugh, Josh was loved by many and will be missed by all."

Weston entered the porn industry in 2001 when he signed with Falcon Studios. The Sword's Zach noted that he "began his career as a dancer at the Nob Hill Theatre in San Francisco, and after being discovered there by Chi Chi LaRue, he quickly became one of the decade's most iconic performers. Weston's later work with several bareback studios was seen by some as controversial, but his flawless physique and legendary performances are what, I think, will be remembered most."

According to Pink News, Weston performed in bareback porn while working for a company called Slut Machine; but the article points out, "it is not known whether Weston was living with HIV at the time of the filming." The porn star was working on a memoir called "Sleeping My Way to the Bottom."

Al’s Gay Porn Stars writes that Weston was a "versatile performer who stands about five-feet, 10-inches tall" and that he hailed from Nevada where he was "a keen athlete, swimmer and diver." The blog post goes on to say that while attending college Weston "studied sports fitness and got a job as a personal trainer."

He later moved to San Francisco and "was named performer of the year in the 2003 GayVN awards and then courted controversy when he switched to bareback movies."

Earlier this year the porn industry lost superstar Erik Rhodes, who died of a heart attack on June 14 at the age of 30. The beefcake porn star struggled with drugs and depression for years and made his challenges public via his blog and Tumblr.

Additionally, porn actor Dror Barak, better known as Roman Ragazzi, took his own life on Feb. 25 at the age of 38 and the handsome Corbin Fisher model "Sean" also died unexpectedly this year.

Comments

Anonymous, 2012-12-19 19:47:27

I am very saddened to hear of this tragedy. Josh (Chad) was always a very sweet, good natured guy, that I had the privilege of knowing and sharing several production sets with. I will miss him. What saddens me more is how vicious the gay community can be over anthers choices. Especially when most, if not all of these people are being hypocritical. I seriously doubt all of the people who sit in judgement of Josh have always used condoms during both anal and oral. Have they always used a dental damn when rimming? Probably not. We all make choices in our lives that can be dangerous to our well being. Myself included. Some of us just make more of those choices than others. Just because we make fewer bad choices or differing ones does not mean we are better people. I hate the term bareback sex and even more so hate the way it is used to demonize what I consider natural sex. You can be responsible and still engage in unprotected sex. Getting tested together with a sexual partner, sharing your results and staying monogamous or polygamous within those tested together is one way. The key is being honest with each other over our status’ and being able to stay faithful together or within the agreed group. Bareback sex is not the problem irresponsible people are. I may not have agreed with Josh’s choice of doing bareback videos but the choice was his to make and I surely have done enough things in my life to never condemn the actions of another. It is disgusting to hear the way many of you have talked about another human being. Especially when almost all of you support the porn industry by buying videos, downloading from the net or what have you. There are many porn stars with all types of issues just as there are many people in the outside world with varying types of issues. We as a community should come together when another human being has succumbed to this terrible disease not judge and humiliate the dead. I know of many people who seek out HIV of their own accord. Why? Is it becuase they just want to have wild sex parties with multiple partners? I think not! the root of the matter is we are just all tired of being afraid of something so natural and beautiful as sex. Instead of demonizing sex and labeling it we need to teach person responsibility and how to minimize our risks. Safe sex, does not mean you will not get HIV. Condoms break, dental dams rip, wear and tear or old condoms improperly stored etc. There are many risk factors. Many people judge and hate on others because they are jealous that they do not have the guts to do the things these people do or have done. You begrudge them for living their lives openly and for participating in activities you long yourself to do. As I said earlier, natural sex is not the problem our irresponsibility is. If you engage in natural sex be honest with yourself and your partners about your sexual activities and stay tested within your coupling or group. We should all stop judging and hurting each other. That should be the ultimate goal of our or any other community. My final word on this posting is ... "Josh, I love and will miss you my friend. I hope you have found the peace you craved in this life in the next." XOXOXOXOXxoxoxoxoxo

Anonymous, 2012-12-19 19:55:10

Why are the deaths of porn actors newsworthy? Edge should have posted this article under the Entertainment category.

Anonymous, 2012-12-19 19:56:10

I guess they moved it. Still I don’t think this article is newsworthy.

Anonymous, 2012-12-19 21:45:20

I’m sorry someone has died so young, Period. The fact that he was gay and was recognizable by many in the gay community DOES make it news worthy here. Rest in peace Josh Weston.

Anonymous, 2012-12-19 22:28:22

RIP....way too young

Anonymous, 2012-12-20 18:29:28

Sucks that he died. However, you don’t see straight news magazines mention the deaths of straight porn actors. I think the gay community should focus less on the porn industry and more on people that further gay policies.

Jon W, 2012-12-21 12:53:11

Is it really worth giving up 40 or 50 years of your life just for the "pleasure" of bareback sex? Don’t you think that a full life is worth the "sacrifice" of using condoms? I’m sad that Josh has died, but angry at those who defend and promote his foolish and fatal lifestyle choice. CHOOSE LIFE! USE CONDOMS!

Anonymous, 2012-12-28 09:44:18

When u lay down with dogs, you will usually get up with flea’s.

Lars Eighner, 2013-02-13 13:43:37

Some of these comments are good illustrations of the difference between "gay equality" and "gay liberation." Equality before the law should not mean and does not require a slavish devotion to the values of the dominant culture. Being gay should not mean struggling to overcome a birth defect to become as much like straight people as possible. Prissy, snotty, and self-righteous are not becoming on gay people and becoming mewling sychophants of the heterosexual overlords is not the way to liberation.

Anonymous, 2013-06-15 23:45:39

any news on danriderxxx porn star did he OD on roids or just die from being a fuckn creep

Erik Rhodes, actor & director & major player in the world of gay porn, was found dead on June 14, the apparent victim of a heart attack. Although Rhodes had publicly acknowledged his steroid & recreational drug use, his death proved shocking.